A quieter start to the year - winding down and noticing

Water colour doodles while looking at the Scottish Coast - so lovely

Hello lovely,

I wanted to start this year a little differently.

After nearly burning out again last year, I finally listened to the signs and did something I haven’t done in a very long time — I took a proper break.
My first real holiday in eight years.

I’m in the Scottish countryside right now.

No traffic, no noise, no rushing to meetings.

Just wind, water, rough landscapes and space to breathe.

What surprised me most is how hard it’s been to actually slow down.
Even here, my body and mind are still buzzing, still wired for doing.

So I’ve been practising something very simple: noticing.

And I’ve picked up an old love along the way — watercolour painting. I hadn’t painted in nearly a decade, and sitting with paint and water again feels like reconnecting with a quieter part of myself. No outcome, no productivity, just creating for the sake of it.

This year, I want creativity to feel like support — not pressure.
A place to land, not another thing to perform at.

I’ll be sharing gentle check-ins, small creative prompts, and honest reflections as I try to slow down and create more intentionally. You’re very welcome to follow along, join in, or simply read quietly — there’s no right way to be here.

If you’re feeling tired of the hustle, stretched thin, or a bit disconnected from your creative self, you’re not alone. Maybe this year doesn’t need big goals — just a few small moments that help us come back to ourselves.

With love, Vera

PS: If you feel like it, I’d genuinely love to hear from you.
Does slowing down or creating more gently resonate with you right now?
No need for long replies — a few words is more than enough;)